The Readers

One

It's one in the afternoon and the time where everyone starts to animatedly walk to the town square to meet the people who tell us what to expect in the near future. I stood in the middle of the eerily quiet street for a couple of moments before I heard the bells chime loudly when the women were ready to read your life. As the people flooded the streets lifelessly and aimlessly, I watched as they moved like water, move around my stiff figure, and continued on without even a glance.
    Being an orphan isn't necessarily easy. You are left to fend for yourself with no one giving you a second glance, and leaving you feeling like scraps. Since I was little I grew up without a family, and never knew how it was like to have a loving family.
    Once again, the bells chimed signalling the end of the readings. And just like before, the people left the town square as a stampede, while strategically avoiding me on their way home. Sometimes I wonder why the people of the town cared so much about The Readers and what they have to say about their lives.
    This became a habit: standing in the empty street, hearing the bells chime, watching the people flow out of their homes, wait in the streets, hear the bells chime, then watch as the people hurry back to their homes.
    As an orphan I notice things that many people don't, like the way the sun never seems to fade, when in reality the sun is just an illusion. How? I don't exactly know yet. All I know is that one day, I will figure out the secrets of this town. And when I do, I will free the people of this burden that keeps holding back.
    A few years went by, and I had no idea what to start with. I roamed the city with highest possible curiosity. I walked by the town square where the readings usually happen. I hid behind the tent The Readers had set up. I hear their conversation.
    "We have to be able to control the people as much as possible.", Reader 1 said.
    "Yes. Yes. I know very well we should, but I fear some of the people might not be under our influence and are starting to reveal us." Reader 2 says worriedly.
    "We should make our readings more and more often in order to make sure the people know nothing of our business.", the third Reader stated.
    I stopped listening after a bit. This proved my hunch correct, but--oh my!-- I had forgotten to record the proof! My being an orphan only means that The Readers don't pay any attention. They feel that children without parent don't have a value. I will show them that they cannot just waltz into my town and control everything. What happened to our government. Oh wait, I know, they were relieved of their power the moment these three women stepped foot on our soil.
    Once night fell, I followed The Readers to their place of hiding. I was in awe the moment I walked in. The walls were made of the most purest form of white marble that I have laid my eyes on. The corridor was long, but bright as the hallway was lit dimly as if to allow The Readers to hide in the shadows without ever being found, still having the ability to know everything. Everything except for the fact that I was onto them. I, a measly orphan, am going to save my people and The Readers won't know what's coming.
    As I followed them deeper into the corridor, I saw a round table with three chairs. At each chair there was a small candle with a handle and piles and piles of papers. What were written on the papers? I was curious to find out, but I couldn't right now. I caught a glimpse of The Readers. You couldn't see their faces, they had them covered with black veils. The Readers sat down at the table and started to shuffle through the papers. I will go through the papers once the bells ring for the readings first thing in the morning. Until then I thought it would be best to get some rest.
    The next morning I woke up way before the sun rose above horizon, before the bells chimed for the readings to commence. I stood as still as possible in the tiny room that cannot be seen. The Readers started to shuffle about the corridor getting ready for today's readings.
    After a couple of hours, I heard the the bells chime to signal the starting. I watched as The Readers hurriedly walk down the corridor. Once I was sure they had left the building, I went straight to the wooden table with piles and piles of paper. I read through the first one on the stack. It said:
Jack Hampton
Occupation: Metalsmith
Birth: April 4, 1999
Death (To be): September 20, 2022
Wife (To be): Lillian Stafford
Children (To be): Irene Hampton, Shirley Hampton, and Charles Hampton
    Now I was confused. Why did The Readers have these files stored here? Why were they important? A million questions were running through my mind and I didn't know what to do. I heard the bells chime again. I quickly arranged the files neatly before the women arrived and went to hide in the hidden crease in the wall.
    The three women walked into the dim lit corridor. Their footsteps echoed through the hallway as they approached the wooden table. I felt shivers run down my spine. I had to find a way rid the town and the innocent people of this brainwashing. Suddenly, a thought occurred to me. What if I could convince one of the townspeople to join me and prove that they have been brainwashed their entire live? Yes, yes. That sounds great! Once the women left to their chambers for the remainder of the night, I silently walked out of the corridor and straight into the peaceful night. It was pin drop silent except for the chirping of the crickets. I looked up at the navy blue sky that was dusted ever so perfectly with golden stars, as I realized something. How come I have never met another orphan? Unlike these stars that seemed to be in a cluster, just like our society, I was an outcast, like that lone star to the far North. Shining brightly waiting for its people to finally realize.
    I walked down the familiar streets to the town. I saw most of the houses had turned off their lights and I assumed they have retired for the day. Some of the other houses had their lights on. I saw a boy my age staring at the sky with such fondness just I had just moments ago. Ignoring the curiosity and the sudden urge to ask questions, I slowly made my through the town and went to the usual place I slept: behind the huge corporate building.
    I woke up exactly when the first of the sun shined on our small town. I couldn't find anyone capable enough to go through with my plan the previous night. Most of the people are too lifeless for me to even converse with them. I have a new plan now. I should protest and create a  blockade to prevent people to go to the Readings. . Or maybe I could just create an article and mail it to everyone in town. It wouldn't be that much of a hassle since the town is fairly small. I immediately started my article that I was to handout.
Attention!
            Do you ever realize that your lives have been controlled by three individuals who have been brainwashing your minds? Making you feel like every day is the same day, when in reality it isn't? Have you ever noticed that every time you heard the bells chime, everyone would mindlessly drop whatever it was that they were doing, and immediately make their way down to the Town Square? No one has except for me! I have been standing here every day watching each and every one of you. Don't you feel ashamed that you let 3 random mysterious people take control of your lives? Not anymore! Join me in this fight, and together we will reveal who these people are and take back what belongs to us.
Sincerely,
Your orphaned Genevieve Anderton
            I read over the letter. It seemed inspiring enough hopefully The Readers don't hear of this. If they do I will be punished without a single drop of mercy.
    For the rest of the day, I slipped the letter into every home I passed, and then went to hide behind the tent of The Readers to see if I could gain any information.
    "I must say that I have some astonishing news." The first Reader said with hesitation.
    "Out with it! Don't you dare keep it a secret!" The second Reader growled.
"If I must. A girl has spread letters throughout the town. These letters state how she know of our Readings and brainwashing." The second Reader said rather reluctantly.
"How dare this girl do this to us! Who is she, this spoiled brat of a child?!" The third nearly yelled.
"She is an orphan." The first replied.
"Darn those orphans never falling under our influence." Said the second Reader.
Their conversation went on longer. I didn't bother to listen. They know someone is onto them, but they don't know how I look, well, for now atleast.
I went to the bell tower to tie the chimes together so that the bells can't chime. If the bells don't chime then there won't be any Readings and we could live a normal life with a normal government. Once tied the bells, no one crowded the streets to go to the Town Square. I went back towards the tent and hid once again.
"Why isn't anyone coming to the tent?" The third Reader asked curiously.
The first replied, "Maybe it's that darn orphan again, getting into our business."
I contently stood outside smiling to myself. After the exchange of words, the three emerged out of the tent and set towards the town. I took the shortcut to the village.
The moment I walked into the village I yelled, "Everyone come to the streets! Come meet the ones who made your lives a lie! Come! Come! Quickly!"
The moment I said these words, the townspeople came out to see what all the ruckus was about. They came into the streets, flooding them like a tsunami.
The three women approached us cautiously.
"Which one of you is the orphan that sent out the letters?" The first Reader demanded coldly. Hearing her voice directed at everyone and in person sent a wave of chills down my spine. But I didn't back down.
"It was me." I spoke with confidence. "I was the one who sent the letters. I am Genevieve Anderton. And I am going to show the truth to my fellow townspeople." I said in an unwavering voice.
"Is that so?" The third Reader said mockingly.
"Yes it is so. I have heard your plans, seen you files, and seen your 'lair', our town doesn't need your brainwashing. You have caused enough damage. Without the bells ringing, you and I both know that your time runs out and you leave."
"H-how do you k-know all this?" The first Reader asked astonished.
"Like I said before, I have heard your secrets. And I'm an orphan. I know the inner workings of this town." I said proudly.
The silence filled the town. It was weighing everyone down. I turned to look at the peoples faces. They were all awestruck. I laughed to myself. They should have believed me. But then again, no one ever listens to an orphan.
Suddenly, I heard a gust of heavy wind. I turned around to see a whirl wind. The Readers held onto what solid piece of structure the could grip onto. Before they were sucke in they all three said in unison, "This is not the last you will see of us." They warned me before they were whisked away for good.